Device for lowering coffins



(No Model.)

J. T. MEREDITH.

DEVICE FOR LOWERING GOPFINS.

Patented May 24, 1887.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES;

N. PETERS. PholwLnhagr-mphgr, Washington, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. MEREDITH,

O F BUCHTEL, OHIO.

DEVICE FOR LOWERING COFFINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 363,530, dated May 24, 1887.

Application filed January 27, 1887.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN T. MEREDITH, of Buchtel, in the county of Athens and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Device for Lowering Coffins, of which the follow ing is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a strong, cheap, and durable apparatus designed for use in the handling of coflins at the grave, the object of the invention being to provide a means whereby the coflin may be supported over the mouth of the grave, and a means whereby,having been so placed, the coffin may be lowered into the grave, all as will be hereinafter more fully explained, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures'of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views Figure 1 is a side view of a eo'lfin arranged for use in connection with my improved low ering apparatus. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view representing the main lowering-strap, the angular strap, and the connection between the two. Fig. 3 is a view of an extension-rod arranged to be placed aerossthe mouth of the grave in a position to support the coffin. Fig. 4 is a view of the coffin as it appears prior to being lowered into the grave. Fig. 5 is a de tail view of oneof the hooks secured to the lower ends of the angular straps; and Fig. 6 is a view of one of the screw-eyes fixed to the coffin, and with which the hooks illustrated in Fig. 5 engage.

In the drawings above referred to, 10 represents a heavy strap, to the lower end of which there is secured a practically oval loop, 11, the end of the strap being passed through the loop to be turned up and riveted to the main body ofthe strap, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. To this loop 11 there are secured two straps, 12, said straps being each provided with hooks 13, said hooks being formed with cross-bars 2, that are held byloops formed at the lower ends of the straps 12, the straps being apertured to providefor thepassageof the hook'shankawhile the cross-bars 2 rest within Serial No. 225,652.

the loops formed as is clearly shown in the drawings. Screw-eyes 14 are made to engage with the coffin at the points a a, as indicated in (No model.)

' Fig. 1, two of these screw-eyes being arranged at each side of the comm, or, if desired, the screw-eyes could be attached as represented at b bin Fig. 4, in which case two of the eyes would be secured to each end of the eoflin.

In connection with the parts described I employ a tube, 20, within which there are fitted tubes 21, formed with enlarged heads 22. These tubes 21 are longitudinally slotted, as shown at 3, an angular bend, 4, being formed in the slots 3, near the heads 22, as indicated. Bolts 5 pass outward from the bores of the tubes 21, through apertures formed in the tube 20, to engage with set-nuts 6, the arrangement being such that the tubes 21 may be ad justed to vary the length of the device, and, having been adjusted to the required length, may be bound to place.

In operation the tubes and 21 are adjusted so as to extend across the grave, as shown in Fig. 4, two of these devices being employed, one at the foot and the other at the head of the grave. The co'ffin is then placed as indicated in the drawings, and the hooks 13 are brought into engagement with the eyes 14, the straps 10 are grasped by the attendants, the coiiin is slightcd raised, thesupporb ing devices beneath the coffin are removed, and the coffin is lowered in the grave, after which a slight shake is given to the straps 12,

which will disconnect the hooks 13, and the lowering apparatus is withdrawn for further use.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with the strap 10, pro-' vided with the loop '11, of the straps 12, secured to the loop 11, and provided with looped and apertured ends, and hooks 13, having cross-bars 2, held in the looped ends of the said straps, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. The combination,with the screw-eyes 14, secured to a coffin, of the strap 10, provided with the loop 11, the angular straps secured thereof and formed with enlarged heads, and to the loop, and the hooks 13, secured to the clamping devices arranged in connection with lower ends of the straps 12, and adapted to the tubes, substantially as described.

engage the screw-eyes, substantially as herein Y JOHN T. MEREDITH.

5 shown and described. WVitnesses:

3. The combination, with a central tube, of FRANK COOLEY, v longitudinal slotted tubes fitted in the ends WILLIAM VIOKERS. 

